31. Winning
Winning
C assie brushed her hands down the front of her dress again. God, why am I so nervous? She took a final look in the mirror, twisting slowly. She had dug the formal black dress out of the back of her closet. It had been a couple of years since the last time she’d had an occasion to wear it.
The annual Clio Awards were as good an excuse as any.
But she knew that wasn’t the only reason.
Hell, it wasn’t even the main reason. The front scoop neck did wonders for her cleavage, while still looking elegant.
And the slit up to her hip in the floor-length gown was perfectly subtle.
Easy to flash some leg when she wanted, but barely perceptible when she didn’t. Even while walking.
Hearing the knock on the front door, she did a final check of her makeup and grabbed her clutch and shawl. “Hi Kellan—”
“H-hey Cassie.” Alex’s cheeks flamed. “Kellan’s having car issues. They asked me to pick you up. They said they texted you.” The words tumbled out of Alex at a fever pitch .
“Oh, I… I didn’t see the text.” Cassie stammered, slightly dazed as she stared. Alex was stunning! They were dressed in a traditional black tuxedo, a deep blue vest. And no shirt! For a moment, Cassie forgot how to breathe.
Alex dropped their head and peered up through their lashes. “You look beautiful.” Their cheeks darkening impossibly more. When Cassie didn’t speak, they turned, holding out their hand toward the car. “Shall we go?”
“Yes. Sorry… um, yes. We should go.” Shaking her head, Cassie stepped out and turned, locking the door.
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she followed Alex down the walkway.
But the nerves were back with a vengeance as Alex held open the passenger door and offered their hand to help Cassie step in.
As they leaned over to help her collect the bottom of her dress, Cassie’s eyes locked onto the tantalizing amount of exposed flesh at the top of their vest. It was going to be a long night.
***
As Alex pulled away from the curb, an awkward silence settled between them.
They drummed nervous fingers against the steering wheel, their rhythm soft but insistent.
Cassie, without thinking, mirrored the pattern against her knee.
Every little sound inside the car felt louder than it should…
the slow tick-tock of the blinker, the subtle squeak of Alex’s shoe against the pedal, the low hum of the engine at red lights.
Abruptly, Alex reached forward and turned up the radio.
“I really like this song,” they said, shooting Cassie a quick glance, the faintest blush rising in their cheeks.
A beat later, their head started bopping along to the music, and then they were singing.
Off-key but with total commitment and zero shame.
It caught Cassie off guard, tugging a smile to her lips.
She joined in by the second chorus, the tension between them dissolving note by note.
They sang their way through the next few songs, voices blending in a kind of imperfect harmony that felt perfect anyway.
And then, somehow, they were already pulling up in front of the Dolby Theater.
Alex barely let the car come to a stop before they were out and rushing around to the passenger side, beating the valet by a second. They opened Cassie’s door with a shy but proud smile, offering a steady hand as she stepped out.
Without a word, Alex extended their arm.
Cassie looped hers through, but paused, turning into their space.
Gently, she reached up to adjust the collar of Alex’s tuxedo jacket, smoothing it with practiced fingers.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you how amazing you look tonight,” she said, her voice soft, her hands trailing lightly down the lapels.
God, they were fucking cute when they blushed like that. “Lead the way,” Cassie continued, putting her arm through Alex’s and heading towards the check-in tables.
***
“There you guys are!” Kellan shouted, waving enthusiastically. Their grin was unmistakable even from a distance, bright and teasing.
Cassie and Alex slowed their pace as they approached the group… Leah chatting with Eddie, her husband holding her hand, standing at her side; executives and their plus-ones clustered in small groups, chatting casually .
And then Cassie saw them—Robert Sharpe and his wife, Deborah—toward the back.
The moment she did, she felt Alex’s entire body shift beside her.
Their shoulders squared just slightly, the arm looped around hers, tensed.
Cassie turned to them, her voice low and careful.
“Everything okay?” she whispered near their ear.
Alex turned and smiled. “O-of course. Everything’s fine. I just didn’t expect Kellan to beat us here.” Their voice was smooth, but the smile didn’t quite reach their eyes.
Cassie didn’t push. Instead, she slipped easily into the hug Kellan offered.
“Sorry, I couldn’t pick you up,” Kellan said with a sly wink as they released her.
“Lies,” Cassie hissed under her breath, but the smile she fought from blooming said she was teasing. At least a little.
Cassie stepped forward to greet Leah and her husband, exchanging warm hugs and a few quick updates. Behind her, Kellan turned to Alex and clasped their shoulder. “Thanks for picking up our favorite power forward,” they said, sincere beneath their usual charm.
Then a new voice entered the space beside Cassie, low and familiar.
“You came with Alex?”
Cassie pivoted, following the sound to find Robert Sharpe standing just to her right, his expression pleasant, albeit slightly unreadable.
“Oh… hi, Mr. Sharpe,” Cassie said, her tone polite as she extended her hand.
“Yes. Kellan apparently had some car trouble, and Alex was kind enough to give me a ride.”
She turned slightly to include the woman beside him, her hand still extended. “It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Sharpe.”
“Please, call me Deborah,” the woman said warmly, taking Cassie’s hand in both of hers. Her grip was gentle but confident, and Cassie smiled at the resemblance... the same deep blue eyes that lit up whenever Alex got excited about an idea or caught off guard by a compliment.
“You and Alex make a very stunning couple,” Deborah added, her voice lowered into a conspiratorial whisper.
Cassie blinked, her face warming almost immediately. “Uh… we’re not a couple, Deborah.”
But Deborah just gave her a wink, looping her arm through her husband’s like she hadn’t heard a word of it. “Come, dear,” she said to Robert, already tugging him away. “Let’s get these photos over with so we can enjoy the rest of our evening.”
Cassie stood still for a beat, the ghost of a laugh caught in her throat. When she glanced at Alex, their face was slightly pink too—but there was something like hope glimmering behind their eyes.
The rest of the group followed Deborah’s lead, stepping in behind the Sharpes. The Los Angeles agency contingent sticking together and pulling up the rear. The photographers arranged everyone for a gigantic group photo first. Cassie blinked rapidly to dispel the blinding flashes of light.
After several photos, the photographers asked the nominees to stay while the rest of the group once again moved toward the entrance.
Cassie winked as Alex released her arm. “More photos for you, Mx. Nominee.” Her smirk turning to a full smile as Alex rolled their eyes in response.
Just as Cassie started to follow the rest of the group, she felt a firm grip on her wrist holding her in place.
She looked back to see a pretty blonde with sparkling blue eyes. “Uh, uh, uh. Not so fast,” they said. The blue wasn’t as deep as Alex’s or Deborah’s, but the resemblance was obvious.
“You must be Alex’s sister,” Cassie replied .
“You are correct.” The blonde smiled. “I’m Tricia. And you are Cassie Jenkins.”
Shocked, Cassie raised both eyebrows before quickly catching herself and returning Tricia’s smile. “And you are correct,” she nodded in confirmation.
“And now if all the Sharpe family would step in,” the coordinator called out over the din.
“That’s us,” Tricia stated, pulling Cassie along with her.
“But I’m—”
Cutting off her protest, Tricia propelled Cassie into Alex’s side. “Alex, put your arm around your date’s shoulders.”
Taking a step backward, “That doesn’t look right,” Tricia continued. “Actually, Cassie put your arm through Alex’s like you were doing earlier.”
Tapping her lip, Tricia stared at them a moment longer. “Cassie, use your left hand to hold your shawl closed at the same level as your other hand. Alex, you hold Mom’s hand with your right,” she directed. Her hands gesticulating.
Stepping forward after a few head tilts, Tricia adjusted Cassie’s shawl and moved Alex’s and Deborah’s linked hands down to Alex’s side. “Perfect.”
Moving quickly to the other side, Tricia grasped her father’s right hand in both of hers. “Daddy, I’m going to hold your hand like this. Jackie, you stand behind me with your hands on my sides.”
Taken slightly aback, Cassie just watched as the handsome man that had been standing nearby swiftly stepped behind Tricia and did as he was told.
The incredulous look on the coordinator’s face said more than his one word. “Ready?”
Beaming, Tricia replied, “We were born ready!”
After several more seconds of blinding lights, the coordinator announced they were finished. “Thank you very much, Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe. Everyone. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Wordlessly, Cassie and Alex began walking to the entrance, trailing slightly behind the rest of the Sharpe family.
“I’m so sorry about that.” Alex spoke softly, leaning closer to Cassie. “I didn’t know she was going to do that.”
“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault,” Cassie replied, squeezing Alex’s arm a little tighter. “Besides, I didn’t mind.”
“Y-you… yeah, no… I mean, I didn’t mind either.” Alex stuttered.
“Great!” Cassie singsonged. “Let’s go win you some awards!”
***
Cassie could see the energy pouring off Alex. The car shook slightly to the rhythm of their knee bobbing, their fingers tapping along on the steering wheel.
Cassie chuckled. “Penny for your thoughts?” I think I have a pretty good idea what your thoughts are.
Coming to a stop at the red light, Alex turned. Their eyes brimming with excitement. “I can’t believe I won two Gold Clios.” Their smile beaming. “My team won two Gold Clios!”
Slapping their hands on the wheel. “And you and Leah won a gold, too!”
Not one to normally shy away from accolades, smiling Cassie shook her head. “Leah won a Gold Clio.” Pointing forward, Cassie whispered. “Green light.”
Alex continued grinning and stepped on the gas pedal. “Deflect as much as you want, but we both know it’s a team effort. ”
Pride filled Cassie’s chest even as she protested. “I know, but it’s the Senior Creative Director’s name on the award.”
“I know,” Alex said softly, pulling to a stop in front of Cassie’s house.
“Hey! Tonight was a great night. We have a lot to celebrate.” Cassie leaned forward, reaching out to grasp Alex’s arm. “Who knows, maybe I’ll win one next year.”
“But one of these should have been yours,” Alex grumbled. “It’s bullshit.”
Cassie gave Alex’s arm another squeeze before dropping her hand back to her lap. “I don’t blame you anymore. You know that. And I’ll get my chance now, thanks to you.”
Before Alex could respond, Cassie turned to let herself out of the car.
“Wait!” Shouting, Alex leapt out of the car, running around the front and pulling the passenger door open.
Blushing, Cassie reached for Alex’s hand. God, they are so fucking sweet. A thought that seemed to cross Cassie’s mind more and more lately.
Cassie paused while Alex closed the door.
Silently, they both started up the walkway.
Goosebumps spread up Cassie’s spine when Alex placed their hand on her lower back.
C alm the fuck down. They are just being chivalrous .
After a few steps, Alex’s hand fell away, the goosebumps replaced by an emptiness in the pit of her stomach.
Thoughts swirled in Cassie’s mind as they walked. Her nerves tingled as she considered what could happen next. We’re not on a date. Not really. But Alex escorting her up to the front door sure felt date-like.
Out of the corner of her eye, Cassie could see Alex shove their hands into their pockets and bounce on their toes a few times. Are they nervous, too? Hands shaking, Cassie unlocked the front door, then turned to face Alex.
“I had um…a really good time…tonight.” Jesus, Cassie. Get your shit together.
Alex finally stilled. “I did too.”
Cassie watched as Alex’s eyes darted down to her lips and back up again.
The deepening flush rising up Alex’s cheeks confirming their nervousness.
Cassie couldn’t stop the smirk that appeared, lifting her eyebrow in a silent challenge.
She watched as Alex took a deep breath—seemingly bolstering their courage.
“Um… T-thanks. Again. For tonight.” Alex rubbed the back of their head. “L-let me try that again. I’d…” Alex paused to lick their lips. Their mouth suddenly dry. “I’d really like to kiss you.” They swallowed. “I mean… if that’s alright with you.”
Cassie smiled. Yeah, I’ve definitely forgiven them. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah, okay,” Cassie said, smile growing.
Slowly, allowing plenty of time for Cassie to change her mind, Alex lowered their lips to hers.
The feather-light touch bringing back the goosebumps to Cassie’s skin.
But Cassie wasn’t looking for tentative.
Reaching up, she wrapped her arms around Alex’s shoulders, pulling them closer, feeling their breasts coming together.
She could hear Alex’s low moan as she pressed their lips more firmly together.
The moan unleashed a dam of emotions. She’d missed this. More than she cared to admit. She couldn’t get enough of Alex’s lips. God, I need to taste them . When she brushed her tongue along Alex’s lips, she felt the deep rumble of their moan in her chest.
Suddenly, the tentativeness in Alex’s kiss was gone. Cassie relished the stroke of their tongue against hers. The wetness of their lips. The taste that was inherently theirs .
Slowly, Alex pulled back from the intense kiss. “Wow.”
Cassie chuckled as she shook her head. “Wow, indeed.”
Alex’s cheeks flushed again, the shy smile returned. “I should…” Alex thumbed over their shoulder. “Goodnight Cassie. I’ll—”
“Do you want to come in?”